Chương 68: The Brotherhood Altar

West of Shuili City. The textile factory. Even past midnight, the factory remained brightly lit. Crowds of female workers busied themselves in the workshops. The loudspeaker blared from time to time:"Meet your production targets by month's end, and everyone gets a bonus! Come on! Rise up! You are the best!"

"Look at how beautiful the silk you weave is. The noble ladies of the capital adore it. You are such a talented group of girls. Beautiful and skilled."

"Look at yourselves. So capable, so beautiful, so capable. No man in this world deserves you."

"Since you are so capable and earn so much money, what do you need men for? Men are nothing but burdens. They will never understand your hearts. A bunch of two-legged beasts who think with their lower halves, only interested in mating... pfft!"

"Men only take advantage of you and make you suffer. Sisters, now that you have money, do not waste it on dirty men. Buy nice bags. Buy nice makeup. Is that not better?"

"Be independent women. Do not look for men. Do not look for men. Do not look for men. Every worker in every workshop repeats this three times."... Outside the factory, on the dirt path, a dozen figures emerged from the darkness. It was 834 leading Fang Cheng and the others. Fang Cheng looked at the factory ahead and asked, "Aren't all of us in the Hero Gang men? Why are we going to a place full of women?" 834 snickered.

"Women are upstairs. We are downstairs. Synchronized operation." A few men chuckled lewdly at the double meaning. 834 scolded them, "What are you laughing at? These women are the ones who made us miserable. Never be interested in them. They will only play with our feelings. Brotherhood between men is eternal." With that warning, 834 fell silent. He led the group around to the west side of the factory, where weeds grew thick and dense bushes made the area rarely visited.

"Over there." 834 pointed to a slightly raised mound in the distance. The group walked over and pushed aside the grass and leaves behind the mound. An iron round lid was revealed. They lifted the lid to reveal a narrow opening. 834 urged everyone to jump in. He stayed behind until all had entered, then followed and closed the lid. Once inside, 834 lit a fire starter and ignited a torch on the wall. He took it down and led the group into a dark tunnel. The tunnel sloped downward.

The path was flat and the walls smooth. As they went deeper, the air did not grow cold and damp. Instead, a warm, bloody scent rose from the depths. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. After about half an hour of walking, they heard the sound of flowing water. Light flickered ahead. The group's spirits lifted, and they quickened their pace. Finally, the space opened up before them: a vast underground cavern.

At its ceiling hung a massive glowing orb like a night pearl, illuminating the entire cave. At the center of the cavern stood a stone palace, dozens of meters tall and hundreds of meters long and wide. Carved beams and painted rafters adorned it. It was imposing, like an immortal palace. Surrounding the palace were houses and courtyards. Occasionally, bare-chested men walked out of the houses, stretching in the yards or sitting on stone benches drinking and chatting.

"Brothers, this is the Hero Gang's sacred sanctuary! The paradise of all men! It is here!" 834 shouted. The others cheered, overwhelmed with emotion. Some brothers even embraced and wept tears of joy. The liberation of the new era man had finally arrived. Rejoice! Fang Cheng did not cheer. He silently opened his Heavenly Eye and looked toward the palace. Inside, he saw intricate patterns carved into the structure. Those patterns connected to form an immense, powerful aura. A familiar, primitive aura rushed at him.

"Tai Shang Xuan Ling Hua Sheng Wu Ji Ying Yuan Shi Da Array!" The name surfaced in Fang Cheng's mind. He realized this was the demonic version of the Spirit Gathering Array. He had seen one before in Zhu Youchang's cellar, but this one was far larger than the small array in Gaoliu Village.

"Excellent. Time to uncover the truth." Fang Cheng's lips curled slightly. Excitement rose in his heart. He could smell it. The rich scent of blood within the palace. Haha. The stench of sin. Mouthwatering.

"Yes. This is paradise." He spread his arms and cheered with 834 and the others, shouting, tears welling in his eyes. Whoo! Justice was about to be served. A new chapter of righteousness was about to unfold. After the excitement died down, 834 led the group into the courtyard and showed them the canteen, the wine cellar, the living quarters, and let them choose rooms for themselves. One brother pointed at the distant palace and asked, "Can we live there?" 834 shook his head.

"That is where the Cult Master lives. Only those with Life Crystals inside them can enter." Another asked, "What are Life Crystals?" 834 smiled mysteriously.

"The Cult Master has gone to the capital. He will be back in two days, which happens to be the end of the month. He will preach from the palace, explaining what Life Crystals are and what the greatest love in the world is. If you are enlightened enough, the Cult Master might favor you and invite you into his palace to discuss the deepest truths of the world."

"Two more days? I can't wait." Fang Cheng rubbed his hands together.

"Yes, 865. I can't wait either." 834 looked at Fang Cheng with a hint of excitement in his eyes. After the introduction, the group dispersed. Some went to the canteen to feast. Some went to the wine cellar to find their favorite drinks. Some picked rooms to clean, wash up, and change clothes, busy with a newfound sense of purpose. Others went to sleep early, saving their energy for the Cult Master's sermon. 834 pulled Fang Cheng to the side of a house.

Pressing against the wall, they could hear strange sounds from inside. It sounded like two men. Fang Cheng could have opened his Heavenly Eye to see what was happening inside, but he did not want to. If he could, he would have stabbed the two disgusting men inside to death. And 834 too. Whew... Take a deep breath. Pull out the notebook. He did not even want to write. Damn it. Put the notebook away. Take another deep breath. Whew... 834 did not notice Fang Cheng's actions.

He pressed his ear to the wall, his face full of bliss.

"865, do you hear that? That is the most beautiful music in the world. The greatest brotherhood!"

"Come on. Do not resist. Open your heart. Unlock the DNA in your genes. You see it? The blood flowing through your veins comes from our ancestors. They gathered around bonfires, held hands, sang, and danced..."

"Come on, 865, my baby. Give me your hand. Let us sing and dance. Let us deepen our friendship!" 834 extended his right hand, his eyes full of anticipation. Fang Cheng chuckled coldly. In response to that outstretched hand, he drew the demon sword from between his legs. Enough was enough. No more holding back. Damn it. Die!